On their 2010 debut album, the group Sixteen Cities created a song called Only After You. The song is about someone who has reached a point in their life that they no longer care about the materialism of the world. Therefore, the lyrics describe a person who begins to concentrate on having God as their first and only love.
As I have learned through the school of hard knocks, life appears to be more complex the older you become. The apostle’s Paul message in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 makes a whole lot more sense to me now as oppose to when I was younger. Having a spouse and children divide your interest and can be distracting unless you take time out of your busy schedule to be still before the Lord, Psalm 46:10. The message of this song has struck a cord in my spirit, a desire that I have, yet I haven’t devoted myself fully to this calling.
Jesus as recorded by Matthew in chapter 10:32-39 drives home the theme of Only After You . Jesus is talking about the commitment level necessary for someone to become a disciple. I think Jesus is trying to tell us that truth fulfillment in life is only found in Him, John 10:10. There will always be people that hold a special place in our heart, but they can’t provide us with the abundant life Jesus promises. Therefore, we need to be willing to risk everything, place all our concerns at the altar of our Lord and pursue Jesus. May all of us follow the calling in Only After You.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 